Olympic torch relay may skip Australia

Page Tools

Athens Olympic Games organisers were adamant about using their own security for the Australian leg of the Olympic torch relay, but progress had been made in negotiations, NSW Premier Bob Carr said today.

Sydney is to be the first city outside Athens to receive the torch, but the event has been thrown into question because the organisers insist using their own police.

Under Australian law, non-Australians are not permitted to work in the country as security guards or police.

Mr Carr described the negotiations as tough going.

"Their last letter indicated their pretty adamant position that security is to be performed by their people," he told ABC radio.

"(But) there's been progress ... especially in respect of resolving the issues of legal liability.

"We've gone hoarse explaining this to Athens."

Mr Carr said the government hoped the organisers would understand the legal position, which also was shared by Victoria.

More than 270 people will carry the torch in both states when it arrives in Sydney on June 4.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

"The people who brought the world the best Olympics in history can perform this duty, as indeed they're obliged to under Australian law," the premier said.

Mr Carr said United States President George W Bush was allowed to use his own security during his Australian visit because he only visited the ACT, where federal law applied.